DONALDSON RUN.

Neighborhoods in Arlington, Virginia

The Donaldson Run neighborhood in Arlington VA is named for thestream in Arlington County, Virginia. From its source near Marymount University, Donaldson Run flows on a northeastern course and empties into the Potomac River within the Federal parklands of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Donaldson Run is surrounded predominantly by forests.

Donaldson Run was named after Robert H. Donaldson, one of the early farm owners, along the Potomac. The land was originally settled by James Donaldson (pre-1755), then inherited by James’ son, William, about the time of the Revolutionary War. William then passed the land to his son Robert. Robert Donaldson’s family worked the farm through the Civil War. Robert’s farm wagon carried the name “Donaldson & Sons,” and the wagon was used to transport farm produce to Georgetown, an arduous trip, especially in inclement weather.

As could be expected in a neighborhood named for a stream, residents here enjoy a lovely natural setting: